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Mohammedan struggles to reach final |
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August 26, 2000
Dhaka, Aug 25 (UNB) – League champions Mohammedan SC moved into the final of the 16th Federation Cup Football tournament with a 1-0 win against run of the game over spirited Arambagh KS in the first semis at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today (Friday). With this lucky victory, the traditional black and white team reached the meet’s final for the 12th time, but after a long gap of five years. Mohammedans will play the final on Monday at 5 pm against the winners of second semi-final between holders Abahani Limited and Mukijoddha SKC tomorrow (Saturday). In the day’s semis, the celebrated Motijheel outfit was seen quite off-colour against their middle-rated neighbours, Arambagh, but fortune smiled upon them as they scored the winner against flow of the match. Mohammedan’s occasional forward Shoeb, included in the team in place of injury-plagued skipper cum striker Alfaz Ahmed, scored the all important goal in the 26th minute of the match amidst thunderous applause by some 17,000 plus crowd at the big bowl. The crucial match was witnessed by millions of viewers on Ekushey TV. Shoeb found the Arambagh net by an accurate, close-range header from goalmouth melee when a corner kick of Ruhul Amin came his way via a header of captain in-charge Motiur Munna (1-0). Arambagh KS dominated the match all through against their giant rivals, specially in the second half, but conceded the frustrating defeat due to unpardonable lapses by their forwards, who squandered at least five sitters. The youthful and spirited medios and forwards of Arambagh entered the Mohammedan territory almost at will beating the country’s top defenders like Jewel Rana and Faisal. But failed to score for lack of big match temperament. Promising national striker cum Arambagh skipper Mujibur Rahman Ritu came close to scoring thrice while Khokon and Nayan managed two more fair chances. But they failed take the fruits due to shakiness and also because of confident goal keeping by Mohammedan custodian Nizam Majumder. On the other hand, Shoeb of Mohammedan SC missed to close chances and Ruhul Amin one due to their hesitation. |